Long wait for radiotherapy

Hi, slightly different in my case, as I had to have a second operation due to a haematoma and my wound took a long time to heal As a consequence it was about 14 weeks when I started my radiotherapy post initial surgery. Have you spoken to your breast care nurses? I found my breast care nurses always really helpful and reassuring..Good luck with everything.

Hello Grassisgreener,  I totally understand how concerned you are about a delay in radiation.  I live in Florida and had access to the radiation oncologist and the Physician Assistant as I was concerned as my first lumpectomy was done 11/15/21 and it was stage 1 IDC.  Small tumor 3mm and 6mm DCIS in that left breast.  Well things got complicated as I needed surgery in right breast too as had DCIS and radiation oncologist told me he wanted to do radiation on both breasts so as not to get overlap by doing one and then later doing the other.  Well my surgeon had a family emergency and was off work so I had to go to his associate and then he got ill and was out for 2 weeks so got pushed further out.  Finally had second lumpectomy on right breast on 2/27/22 and started radiation on 3/17/22.  So I was 16 weeks post invasive cancer surgery.  The radiation oncologist said during Covid they extended times as there were many issues so wanted to start by 20 weeks.  
I had also talked with physician assistant and she told me that if I had known about delay could have gone on hormone blockers like Anastrazole but I didn’t go on it until my radiation was done.  So far so good and try not to worry too much.  I certainly do understand as I was calling everyone.  In fact I set up my own planning session for 4 weeks post op so not to have more of a delay.  I had met with the radiation oncologist after my diagnosis as I was scared of radiation so already was known to their office.  
Barbara

I had my lumpectomy on 12th January.  I have my planning and mark up scan next week with radiotherapy starting a couple of weeks later.  Not ideal but it’s been a super slow process.

Hi. Many thanks for your reply. Yes I am finding the breast care nurses helpful. Just keeping myself busy as I wait. I've found research up to a 20 week gap - i need to read it in full but f it goes beyond that I think my anxiety levels will spike. 

ascopubs.org/.../JCO.2008.18.1891 

Many thanks Barbara. Keeping my fingers crossed I won't have to wait beyond the end of April to get started ... we will see..

Thanks to a fellow Scot! You've missed the snow and ice, at least in the North East, at present. Looked at your profile and glad to see your situation was not as bad as first thought.

That link doesn't seem to be working but if you Google the article title you'll see it:

Intervals Longer Than 20 Weeks From Breast-Conserving Surgery to Radiation Therapy Are Associated With Inferior Outcome for Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Who Are Not Receiving Chemotherapy

Ivo A. Olivotto, Mary L. Lesperance, Pauline T. Truong, Alan Nichol, Tanya Berrang, Scott Tyldesley, François Germain, Caroline Speers, Elaine Wai, Caroline Holloway, Winkle Kwan, and Hagen Kennecke

Journal of Clinical Oncology 2009 27:1, 16-23

Hello Grassisgreener,

I too tried to drive myself nuts with worry over whether my different treatment lead times were safe. I stressed so much over the statistics if my timeline was longer than recommended.

Advocate for yourself - if your appointments are longer than NHS guidelines tell your breast nurse and they might move some mountains for you because you are speaking up.

I didn't do that till my final treatment- radiation- but I got results 

The other thing to do to put yourself at ease is to use this important time to engage in pre-habilitation so you are as strong as can be for when your teatment is scheduled. This way you are taking ownership and actively helping your health. I found for me this kept the stress at bay.

My chemo and surgery had longer than suggested lead times - and both times I also played a role in the delay. But looking back I appreciate I had the time to exercise and eat really well so I felt my absolute best before heading into both these treatments.

big hugs and all the best,

Hello from sunny Spain. Definitely don’t miss the cold.  Having a wee heatwave currently. Very warm for March.  It’s been a rollercoaster for sure, a very slow one.  Had my CT scan yesterday and my wee tattoos, all good to go.  Just await the phone call to get me booked in.  Looks like 15 days of rads but to be confirmed. Now being treated at the University Hospital in Malaga, hospital number 3 on my journey.  

wishing you all the very best xx

Hi I too am in North of Scotland and had quite a long wait for radiotherapy. First lumpectomy in July, follow up in August to get clear margins then had to wait until week before Christmas for radiotherapy. I did query it and mentioned that it should be done within 16 weeks of operation or not as effective but was told there was a waiting list and I wasn’t top priority. I sent an email to the oncologist after my telephone consultation stating the above but I’m not sure if it made a difference or not. I did say I was happy to go at short notice as live very close to hospital. Hope you hear soon.